Spill could wipe seafood from shelvesSunday, May 9, 2010
CLEARWATER — This spring marks the 20th year that Rob Cameron has owned Ward's Seafood Market. But instead of planning a celebration, the 48-year-old is focused on government websites and keeping tabs on the oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico.
With the slick continuing to spread from the BP oil rig explosion April 20, Cameron does not know if and when his business will be forced to stop selling gulf seafood. "Never in my wildest dreams did I expect an oil explosion like this in the gulf," he said.
"My game plan now is to monitor NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) for closures and to continue educating customers. My employees explain things like which seafood is from the Gulf of Mexico and what is considered safe fishing areas," said Cameron, who uses local fishermen to bring in what he sells.
In the north end of Ward's Seafood, 1101 Belleair Road, sits an eating area with about six tables. Out of 23 entrees on the menu, 12 include seafood from the Gulf of Mexico.
Other items, like haddock from Boston and salmon from Scotland, arrive at Ward's in packaged filets. But in the back cooler, the local fish are kept whole. They are placed belly side down and packed in ice. Within two days, the mango snapper, red grouper and mullet are filleted by one of Ward's 12 employees and sold at the front counter. .........(more)
The complete piece is at:
http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/spill-could-wipe-seafood-from-shelves/1093408